Rashah McChesney, Alaska's Energy Desk - Juneau
Rashah McChesney is a photojournalist turned radio journalist who has been telling stories in Alaska since 2012. Before joining Alaska's Energy Desk , she worked at Kenai's Peninsula Clarion and the Juneau bureau of the Associated Press. She is a graduate of Iowa State University's Greenlee Journalism School and has worked in public television, newspapers and now radio, all in the quest to become the Swiss Army knife of storytellers.
Walker’s trade mission highlights links to China, opportunities for Alaskans
Representatives from more than 20 business, along with state officials and politicians will leave for China this weekend. There, they’ll peddle everything from baby food to seafood to tourism to Chinese consumers. Listen now
Walker’s oil & gas advisor leaves for job at NANA
John Hendrix will head NANA Regional Corporation’s commercial group. Listen now
State corporation announces tentative deal with BP to buy gas for Alaska LNG project
The agreement is one of many the state corporation is negotiating to get the project online by 2025. Listen now
Oil prices are up, but how long will it last?
The current price of oil is several dollars higher than state economists predicted, but it doesn't quite fill the hole in the state's budget -- and, it doesn't mean oil prices are going to stay up. Listen now
Undead Arctic microbes feel the heat, unleash disease
A CDC doctor in Anchorage lays out the zombie apocalypse that could happen in the Arctic. Listen now
Boroughs, university, private companies to explore trade with China
The trade mission is part of Walker’s goal to deepen commercial ties with China.
Walker’s bills to swap oil tax credit debt for bond debt making progress
A bill that would have the state issue bonds to pay oil and gas companies is on the move in the legislature. Listen now
After pushback, public comment period on Pebble Mine extended
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will take public comment on its initial scoping for an environmental permit through June. Listen now
Walker asks legislature to divert funds from studying ANWR into public safety
Walker also wants to split $1.5 million between the Department of Revenue and the Department of Natural Resources to do legal and financial work on the Alaska LNG project. Listen now
State wants to stop billing homeowners for tech support after spills
On average, getting technical support from employees in the state’s Division of Spill Prevention and Response can cost between $100-$150 an hour. Listen now
State puts out list of companies that got $75 million in cashable tax credits last year
These cash-for-credits recipients used to be kept confidential, but a law passed in 2016 now requires that the state report them. Listen now
Walker hopeful plan to pay off oil tax credit debt with bonds will pass this session
What the state owes in tax credit payouts varies wildly from year to year. By paying off the tax credit debt with bonds, the repayment rate would theoretically become predictable. Listen now
No environmental impact from 22,000-gallon heating oil spill in Savoonga
The spill reportedly happened inside of a lined container, surrounded by a chain-link fence and barbed wire. A state inspector is on the way to the community.
Lawmakers might have more control over the Permanent Fund than they think
One senator’s lawsuit over PFDs changed the way the Permanent Fund managers can use investment earnings. Listen now
State gets timeline for federal environmental review of Alaska LNG project
The state-led LNG export project still needs customers and financing to build $45 billion mega-project. Listen now
Walker seeks to deepen trade ties with China
In a press conference in Anchorage on Monday, March 5, Governor Walker detailed trade trip and other opportunities for partnership with China. Listen now
Q&A: Federal regulators push for more information on Alaska’s gasline project
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has given the state 20 days to respond to its information request. Listen now
To get good credit, Alaska’s fishing towns may have to factor in climate change
While the state’s credit rating may be safe as climate changes, fishing communities in Alaska face uncertain economic futures. Listen now
It’s hurry up and wait for state gasline corporation’s federal permitting schedule
Alaska’s gasline corporation has filed tens of thousands of pages of documents for their federal permit. Now it's waiting for the commission to make a decision on if, and when, the state can get to work on its massive liquefied natural gas (LNG) export project. Listen now
Higher oil prices help, but don’t solve the state’s budget problem
Lawmakers could spend one more year relying on savings, or tap into the Permanent Fund to cover multi-billion budget deficit. Listen now